More COVID-19 cases confirmed in Victoria

Fourteen new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were confirmed yesterday - bringing the total number of cases in Victoria to 71.

The new cases include nine men and five women, with ages ranging from their teens to 60s.

Seven of the new confirmed cases were acquired overseas or through close contact with known, confirmed cases of COVID-19, and seven cases are still being investigated.

At the present time, there are two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Victoria that may have been acquired through community transmission.

Currently five people are recovering in hospital. More than 11,700 Victorians have been tested to date.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said we expect to see more and more cases of COVID-19 in Victoria.

"We are reviewing this rapidly evolving situation daily and will continue to provide up-to-date information to the community," Professor Sutton said.

"We are all focused on doing whatever is necessary to minimise the spread of infection and keep Victorians safe.

"For the virus to spread, extended close personal contact is most likely required. Close personal contact is at least 15 minutes face-to-face or more than two hours in the same room.

"At the moment, we urge the public to be mindful and take steps to minimise the risk of COVID-19.

"Everyone also has a role to play in protecting yourself and your family. Hands should be washed regularly with soap and water. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you are ill, stay at home."

The Department of Health and Human Services follows up and monitors all close contacts of confirmed cases and provides them with information and support. All close contacts must self-isolate for 14-days. All people arriving from any international destination must also self-isolate for 14 days.

As we now have increasing numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Victorians, we will be moving away from reporting public exposure sites.

Extensive testing has shown that people who have passed through places where there was a confirmed case, known as casual contacts, have an extremely low risk of transmission.

This will help to ensure our hospitals, assessment centres and general practitioners can prioritise testing for those most at risk.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has a hotline for public information on COVID-19 which is 1800 675 398. Large numbers of calls will result in some delays and we ask Victorians for their patience as we work to manage the volume. More information is also available at the DHHS website.

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